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Official site of the Saginaw SpiritWed, 22 May 2019 16:59:41 +0000enhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.5.17News: Saginaw Spirit announce season ticket member information ahead of 2019-20 seasonhttp://saginawspirit.com/article/news-saginaw-spirit-announce-season-ticket-member-information-ahead-2019-20-season
Wed, 22 May 2019 16:59:41 +0000http://saginawspirit.com/article/news-saginaw-spirit-announce-season-ticket-member-information-ahead-2019-20-seasonSAGINAW. Mich - The Saginaw Spirit, members of the Ontario Hockey League, coming off of a West Division Championship and the most successful season in team history, announced Wednesday season ticket information and pricing ahead of the 2019-20 season.
“Following a season where several records were shattered, excitement and momentum are at an all-time high for the Saginaw Spirit,” said President and Managing Partner Craig Goslin. “Our valued season ticket members will want to be part of the 2019-2020 season as together we work to build on the West Division Championship of last season. As a season ticket member, you are a big ingredient to the success of your team. I invite you to continue to be part of it all!”
The Saginaw Spirit finished the 2018-19 as Western Conference finalist after securing their second West Division title in team history. The Spirit’s 45 wins and 96 points were the most in team history, and their 294 regular season goals were the most by any Spirit team in the history of the franchise.
The Saginaw Spirit welcomed over 116,000 people to The Dow Event Center during the regular season, which is the most in five years. The Spirit demolished their postseason attendance record, hosting over 42,000 fans in Riverfront Saginaw, and selling out four of nine playoff games held at The Dow Event Center. The Spirit set a new single-game postseason attendance record when 5,815 watched the Spirit take on the Sarnia Sting in Game two of their opening round series on March 23rd.
There are many great benefits to becoming a season ticket member ahead of the 2019-20 Ontario Hockey League season. Firstly, Spirit season ticket members hold priority on 2020 OHL Playoff tickets. Once again, with the purchase of a season ticket are four road games at The Dort Federal Event Center in Flint, Michigan for regular season games between the Spirit and the Flint Firebirds. Members have the ability to opt out of those tickets, which lessens the cost by $40 per ticket.
The Spirit offer an EZ payment plan, that allows season ticket members to make monthly payments over an eight month period, June 2019-February 2020; skipping December 2019. Members also receive four (4) “Bring a Buddy” vouchers to use throughout the regular season. The Spirit offer season ticket members “Redemption Nights”, where unused tickets from previous regular season games may be turned in for Upper Level ticket vouchers (redemption nights will be announced at a later date).
Season ticket member benefits also include:

Personalized seat decal

Exclusive meet and greet with the Spirit players

Invitation to the Spirit awards banquet

25% off Spirit merchandise (Excludes jerseys & sale items)

Discounted parking ramp pass available for purchase

Enjoy all Saginaw Spirit Season Ticket Holder benefits!

Saginaw Spirit Payment Plan Available

Affordable Family Fun at a great price!

Seating only available in Upper Level Section 7, 9 or 11

Pricing includes 34 regular season home games and 4 regular season road games in Flint.

If you are interested in becoming a Saginaw Spirit season ticket member or making a deposit on season tickets ahead of the 2019-20 season, email info@saginawspirit.com or call (989) 497-7747. For continuous Saginaw Spirit news throughout the offseason, visit www.saginawspirit.com]]>Spirit Store Memorial Day and Summer Hourshttp://saginawspirit.com/article/spirit-store-memorial-day-summer-hours
Mon, 20 May 2019 15:02:58 +0000http://saginawspirit.com/article/spirit-store-memorial-day-summer-hoursSpirit sign 2019 fourth round pick Davis ‘T-Bone’ Codd to OHL Standard Player Agreementhttp://saginawspirit.com/video/spirit-sign-2019-fourth-round-pick-davis-t-bone-codd-ohl-standard-player-agreement
Wed, 15 May 2019 02:21:03 +0000http://saginawspirit.com/video/spirit-sign-2019-fourth-round-pick-davis-t-bone-codd-ohl-standard-player-agreementSaginaw, MI. - Saginaw Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill announced Tuesday the signing of 2019 fourth round pick, 66th overall, Davis ‘T-Bone’ Codd to an OHL Standard Player Agreement.
“He addresses a big need for us up front,” remarked Drinkill. “We look for players that fit our mold and what we are trying to do in the system (head coach) Chris Lazary has put in place. We want skilled players, speed, ultra-competitive, guys with hockey sense, guys that really want to lay it all on the line and T-Bone fits those characteristics.”
Codd, 15, played the 2018-19 season under head coach Kris Draper, and the Little Caesars 16U team. The 5’9, 160-pound right winger scored 16 goals and added 33 assists for 49 points.
“We addressed it in our camp, we were looking to become a more competitive team,” said head coach Chris Lazary. “When Cole Perfetti was doing small-area games, T-Bone was trying to lineup to matchup with him. Right there, I knew we had a special player in terms of being a competitor, and then you see his natural skill. We are super excited to have him (in Saginaw).”
Codd is a two-sport athlete who excels in golf at Brighton High School. In the summer of 2018, Codd shot a 71 in a local U.S. Open qualifier in West Bloomfield and was an alternate for the next round at the age of 14.
In the summer of 2018, Codd participated in the 2018 USA Hockey Boys Select 15 Player Development Camp along with fellow 2019 Spirit draft picks Dylan Duke and Luke Hughes.
Codd is the ninth American-born player to sign with the Saginaw Spirit since the summer of 2019. Current U.S. born rostered players include Blade Jenkins, Brock Hill, Caleb Everett, Cole Coskey, D.J. Busdeker, Jake Goldowski, Bode Wilde, and the aforementioned, T-Bone Codd.]]>Spirit sign 2019 first round pick Connor Punnett to OHL Standard Player Agreementhttp://saginawspirit.com/video/spirit-sign-2019-first-round-pick-connor-punnett-ohl-standard-player-agreement
Fri, 10 May 2019 20:10:01 +0000http://saginawspirit.com/video/spirit-sign-2019-first-round-pick-connor-punnett-ohl-standard-player-agreementSaginaw, MI - The 2019 West Division Champion Saginaw Spirit announced Friday the signing of 2019 first round pick, 19th overall, Connor Punnett to an OHL Standard Player Agreement & Education Package.
“This is a very exciting day,” said the beaming Punnett. “I have been (looking forward to signing) with an OHL team since I was younger. It is a dream come true.”
Punnett, 15, is a 6’1, 176-pound defenseman who played the 2018-19 season with the North Central Predators in the Eastern Triple-A Minor Midget Hockey League. The Powassan, Ontario native was the highest scoring defenseman on his team scoring 60 points (22G, 38A) in 68 games.
“He is the complete package,” said Spirit general manager Dave Drinkill. “The size, the skating ability, the (physical) edge, the competitiveness, he is tough to play against. He’s not going to make it easy for forwards and we are looking forward to watching him grow.”
Punnett signed his OHL Standard Player Agreement in front of his parents, team officials, and members of the Media at The Dow Event Center Friday afternoon.
His will wear Spirit red, white, and blue for the first time this Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 at 2019 Development Camp at The Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan.
The Saginaw Spirit clearance sale is set for Saturday, May 11 from 11:00am-3:00pm at the Saginaw Spirit Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw. Regular price items are 50% off, $10, $15, $20 clearance racks, Autographed game used items, and select warmup jerseys are available.]]>Spirit release roster, details surrounding 2019 Development Camphttp://saginawspirit.com/article/spirit-release-roster-details-surrounding-2019-development-camp
Tue, 07 May 2019 19:30:22 +0000http://saginawspirit.com/article/spirit-release-roster-details-surrounding-2019-development-campSAGINAW, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit, members of the Ontario Hockey League, are pleased to announce the schedule for their 2019 Development Camp to be held at The Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan from Saturday, May 11 through Sunday, May 12.
The Spirit will welcome 24 prospects to the Great Lakes Bay Region for the first time for two days of on ice workouts and practices, as well as a tour of the city of Saginaw for players and parents provided by Blue Lakes Charters & Tours, official traveling partner of the Saginaw Spirit.
The two teams (Blue & White) will be made up of 12 forwards, 8 defenseman, and 4 goaltenders. The rosters will feature draft picks from the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, the 2019 OHL U-18 Priority Selection, and previous draft picks, as well as free agent invitees. Saturday will feature two different on ice skills sessions, while Sunday will feature small-area games and a 3-on-3 tournament.
All on-ice sessions are FREE and open to the public. The Dow Event Center will have non-alcoholic concessions open for both days of the camp.
Saturday, May 11, 2019:
Goalies on ice with Goaltending coach A.J. Walczak (Blade Jenkins & D.J. Busdeker shooting) 9:00am-10:00am
Defenseman on ice skills with coaching staff 10:00am-11:00am
Forwards on ice skills with coaching staff 11:00am-12:00pm
Team practice 3:00pm-4:00pm
Team White Power Edge Pro (PEP) session 4:00-5:00pm
Team Blue Power Edge Pro (PEP) session 5:00-6:00pm
Sunday, May 12, 2019:
Small Area Games 9:00am-10:00am
Goalie session 10:00am-11:00am
3 vs. 3 tournament 11:00am-12:00pm
Also slated to take part in the 2019 Development Camp are returning players Cole Perfetti, Tristan Lennox, Ethan Cardwell, and Ian Lemieux.
]]>Spirit’s McLeod signs with Oilershttp://saginawspirit.com/article/spirits-mcleod-signs-oilers
Wed, 01 May 2019 18:49:25 +0000http://saginawspirit.com/article/spirits-mcleod-signs-oilersRyan McLeod to a three-year entry-level contract, starting in 2019-20. McLeod has also agreed to an AHL Amateur Tryout Contract and will join the American Hockey League's Bakersfield Condors immediately.
McLeod, 19, has just completed his fourth season in the Ontario Hockey League, which included three seasons with the Mississauga Steelheads, before being acquired by the Saginaw Spirit during the 2018-19 season.

The #Oilers have signed 2018 second-round (40th overall) #NHLDraft selection Ryan McLeod to a three-year entry-level contract! The 19-year-old forward has also agreed to an AHL Amateur Tryout Contract & will report to the @Condors immediately. pic.twitter.com/dcdxB9gp2v

McLeod amassed 62 points (19G, 43A), 33 penalty minutes and a +6 plus-minus rating in 63 games with Mississauga/Saginaw last season. The native of Mississauga, Ont. also added 12 points (5G, 7A), four penalty minutes and a +8 plus-minus rating in 17 playoff games with the Spirit.
A 6'2", 207-pound centre, McLeod appeared in 261 regular season OHL games over the past four years, posting 194 points (61G, 133A), 111 penalty minutes and a +10 plus-minus rating. He added 39 points (12G, 27A), 14 penalty minutes and a +18 plus minus rating in 50 career OHL playoff games.
McLeod also played for Canada at the 2016 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where Canada finished fourth.
The Oilers selected McLeod in the second round, 40th overall, in the 2018 NHL Draft.
For more information visit nhl.com/oilers.
]]>Game 7 Recap: Spirit historic season ends with 3-2 loss to Stormhttp://saginawspirit.com/article/game-7-recap-spirit-historic-season-ends-3-2-loss-storm
Tue, 30 Apr 2019 03:22:21 +0000http://saginawspirit.com/article/game-7-recap-spirit-historic-season-ends-3-2-loss-stormSaginaw, MI – The historic 2018-19 Saginaw Spirit season came to an end with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss Monday evening in Game Seven of the Western Conference Championship Series.
Guelph won the best-of-seven series, 4-3 and will take on the Eastern Conference Champion Ottawa 67’s in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Championship Series.
Saginaw Spirit captain Damien Giroux collected third star honors with two goals in Game seven.
16-year old rookie Tristan Lennox made 30 saves in Game seven and made a total of 107 saves in Games five, six and seven combined.
Saginaw took an early lead just over three minutes into the first period with Minnesota Wild prospect Giroux’s eighth goal of the postseason. Detroit Red Wings draft pick Brady Gilmour slid a pass to the Spirit captain in the slot and Giroux redirected the pass through the Storm net-minder Anthony Popovich’s five-hole.
Before Game seven, Saginaw was 6-0 when the Hanmer, Ontario native Giroux scored a goal in this season’s playoffs.
The Spirit alternate captain Gilmour led all Saginaw Spirit players with 15 assists this postseason.
Guelph’s Cedric Ralph tied the game with 6:50 left in the first frame with his second goal of the best-of-seven series. The Storm left-winger redirected a shot from the point and collected his own rebound for the goal.
The Storm captain Isaac Ratcliffe nearly gave Guelph the lead with just under five minutes left in the period. After a point shot deflected off the glass to the left of the crease, the Philadelphia Flyers first round pick rebounded the puck toward the net. 16-year old Tristan Lennox dove across the crease to make a stick save on Ratcliffe.
The Storm outshot the Spirit, 14-10 in the first, but the teams were tied after 20 minutes of play.
The rookie Saginaw net-minder Lennox stoned Nate Schnarr early in the second period of play. Schnarr, an Arizona Coyotes third round pick, was alone in the slot and sent a backhander toward the net. Lennox was on his stomach but was able to reach up with the blocker to keep the puck out of the net.
St. Louis Blues fourth round selection Alexey Toropchenko gave the Storm their first lead of the game 4:54 into the second period. The Guelph right-winger sent a shot into the top-right corner of the Saginaw net from the top of the slot on a two-on-two rush for his sixth goal of the postseason.
The goal was the Russian forward’s first of the Western Conference Championship Series.
2017 Florida Panthers 10th overall pick Owen Tippett nearly tied the game up for the Spirit just minutes later. The Mississauga, Ontario native rocketed a wrist shot from the right face-off circle that Popovich fought off with his blocker.
The Toropchenko tally was the only goal scored in the second period and the Storm took a 2-1 advantage into the second intermission.
After Saginaw killed a carryover man-power disadvantage, Tippett nearly scored to tie the game early in the final frame. The Spirit leading scorer collected a rebound in the slot and released a backhand that just hit the side of the net.
The Spirit just missed an opportunity to even the score on a two-on-one rush just over five minutes into the third period. Edmonton Oilers second round selection Ryan McLeod kept the puck into the Storm zone and rifled a pass over to rookie Cole Perfetti. The Saginaw Spirit first round pick just missed the one-time opportunity for the open net.
Lennox made several saves midway through the final frame as the Spirit killed a double-minor four-minute roughing penalty to keep Saginaw within reach.
Montreal Canadiens signee Nick Suzuki added an empty-net goal with just 1:20 left in regulation to extend his point streak to 11 games.
Giroux answered with his second goal of the game just 16 seconds later to bring the Spirit within a goal. The Spirit captain used his speed to go around a Guelph defender and flipped a shot top-shelf in close for his ninth goal of the postseason.
Saginaw received their first man-power advantage with three seconds left in regulation, but unable to create a last second scoring opportunity. Guelph captured the Wayne Gretzky Trophy for the third time since the trophy’s inception in 1999. The last time the Storm won the Wayne Gretzky Trophy, they went on to beat the North Bay Battalion in the 2014 OHL Championship Series.
Applebee’s Three Stars of the Game:

Tristan Lennox (SAG) 30 saves

Owen Lalonde (GUE) 2A

Damien Giroux (SAG) 2G

The Saginaw Spirit Organization would like to thank the fans for being apart of the historic 2018-19 season. We invite you to join us on Opening Night next season when the Spirit will raise the 2019 West Division Championship banner.]]>Game 7 Preview: Spirit welcome back veteran Murray to lineup in deciding game of serieshttp://saginawspirit.com/article/game-7-preview-spirit-welcome-back-veteran-murray-lineup-deciding-game-series
Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:08:24 +0000http://saginawspirit.com/article/game-7-preview-spirit-welcome-back-veteran-murray-lineup-deciding-game-seriesSaginaw, MI – The seventh and deciding Western Conference Championship series game is tonight, Monday, April 29, when the Saginaw Spirit host the Guelph Storm at The Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan. Puck drop for Game Seven is set for 7:05 p.m.
Tonight marks the first playoff Game seven in Spirit team history.
The best-of-seven series is tied, 3-3 after the Storm staved off elimination for the sixth time in the 2019 OHL Playoffs. The victorious team in Game seven will take on the Eastern Conference Champion Ottawa 67’s in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Championship Series.
Tickets for Game Seven are on sale via saginawspirit.com, ticketmaster.com, at the Saginaw Spirit Store at 5789 State Street, and at The Dow Event Center Box Office.
Watch live on OHLLive.com or listen live on the flagship 100.5 Newsradio WSGW and fmtalk1005.com with the voice of the Saginaw Spirit Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers on the call. “Countdown to Faceoff” with host Domenic Papa starts 15 minutes prior to puck drop.
Game Seven will mark the return of overage defenseman Justin Murray to the lineup. Murray has served a four-game suspension after a check on Guelph’s MacKenzie Entwistle in Game Two of the series.
Saginaw Spirit second round pick Tristan Lennox has filled in for the suspended Arizona Coyotes prospect Ivan Prosvetov in the last four postseason games. The 2021 top NHL goaltending prospect was honored with the third-star in two of the four games.
The 16-year old net-minder has averaged 34 saves in the last four games of the Western Conference Championship Series.
Thornhurst, Pennsylvania native Jake Goldowski tallied Saginaw’s lone goal in Sunday’s game. The goal was the 2016 Saginaw Spirit fourth round pick’s third of the postseason, but first point in this series.
2017 Florida Panthers 10th overall pick Owen Tippett is second among OHL players with 22 points this postseason. The Spirit are 9-1-0-0 in this year’s playoffs when the right-winger registers a point in a game.
Saginaw was o-for-4 on the power play in Game six. The Spirit has mustered just two power play goals in 14 opportunities against the Storm.
Rookie Cole Perfetti was the last Saginaw Spirit player to convert on the man-power advantage in the second period of Game Four. The Saginaw 2018 first round pick leads all Spirit players with eight points in the Western Conference Championship Series.
Conversely, the Storm has at least one power play marker in all six contests against the Spirit this postseason. Guelph has a power play percentage of 41% with seven goals in just 17 man-power advantages this series.
Guelph goaltender Anthony Popovich shut the Spirit out in five-plus periods of hockey, until Goldowski’s late third period tally in Game Six. The Belleville, Ontario native has allowed just one goal in his last two games played.
The postseason’s top-scorer Nick Suzuki and Los Angeles Kings prospect Sean Durzi both extended their point streaks to 11 games in Sunday’s victory.
Suzuki, a Montreal Canadiens signee, roofed a spin-around backhand in Game Six to extend the streak. The London, Ontario native leads the OHL in goals (12), assists (18), and points (30) this postseason.
Mississauga, Ontario native Durzi is first among remaining OHL defensemen with 16 assists this postseason. Sunday’s contest was the first time the Guelph blue-liner failed to register an assist in the Western Conference Finals.
Edmonton Oilers defensive prospect Dmitri Samorukov collected two assists in the 5-1 Guelph victory in Game Six. The Storm defenseman is riding a four-game point streak and has points in six of his last seven games.
Guelph has 11 players with rights owned by NHL teams, forwards Cam Hillis (Montreal Canadiens), Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens-signed), MacKenzie Entwistle (Chicago Blackhawks-signed), Alexey Toropchenko (St. Louis Blues-signed), Liam Hawel (Dallas Stars), Nate Schnarr (Arizona Coyotes-signed), Isaac Ratcliffe (Philadelphia Flyers-signed), defensemen Dmitri Samorukov (Edmonton Oilers-signed), Sean Durzi (Los Angeles Kings), Markus Phillips (Los Angeles Kings), and Fedor Gordeev (Toronto Maple Leafs.)
The Spirit also boasts eight players drafted by NHL clubs, forwards Brady Gilmour (Detroit Red Wings), Blade Jenkins (New York Islanders), Owen Tippett (Florida Panthers-signed), Ryan McLeod (Edmonton Oilers), Damien Giroux (Minnesota Wild), defensemen Reilly Webb (Detroit Red Wings), Bode Wilde (New York Islanders-signed), and goaltender Ivan Prosvetov (Arizona Coyotes).]]>Game 6 Recap: Storm force decisive Game Seven in Saginawhttp://saginawspirit.com/article/game-6-recap-storm-face-decisive-game-seven-saginaw
Sun, 28 Apr 2019 21:43:08 +0000http://saginawspirit.com/article/game-6-recap-storm-face-decisive-game-seven-saginawGuelph, ON – The Saginaw Spirit will host the Guelph Storm in a decisive Game seven after the Guelph Storm evened up the best-of-seven series, 3-3 with a 5-1 victory at home.
Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals is Monday, April 29 at The Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan. The Game Seven victor will take on the Ottawa 67’s in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Championship Series. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The Guelph Storm have six elimination games victories in this year’s playoffs.
Russian forward Pavel Gogolev collected two goals for the Storm, as well as the game-winning goal in the first period.
Montreal Canadiens prospect Nick Suzuki extended his point streak to 11 games with a goal in the second period.
16-year old Tristan Lennox denied Philadelphia Flyers 35th overall pick Isaac Ratcliffe through a screen early in the first period. The Guelph captain took a wrist shot from the top of the right circle that was fought off by the rookie net-minder.
Guelph took the first period lead 8:35 into the first frame with Pavel Gogolev’s first goal of the Western Conference Championship Series. Saginaw turned the puck over in the defensive end to the Gogolev and the Moscow, Russia native roofed the puck over Lennox’s shoulder for his second goal of the postseason.
Gogolev nearly scored his second goal of the game just minutes later with a breakaway opportunity. The Russian forward attempted a deke to the backhand, however Lennox stayed with Gogolev for the save.
Spirit alternate captain D.J. Busdeker has covered defensively for the suspended Saginaw defenseman Justin Murray and saved a goal late in the first period. The Dexter, Michigan native identified the loose puck in the crease and cleared the puck before the Storm could send it into the open net.
The Saginaw Spirit trailed the Storm, 1-0 after the first frame and managed just four shots on goal. Guelph won the face-off battle, 15-4 after the first 20 minutes which helped the Storm control the puck.
After a delayed icing call was waved off early in the second period, Guelph defenseman Fedor Gordeev made it a 2-0 Storm lead. Dallas Stars fourth round pick Liam Hawel found Gordeev for the one-timer from the point for the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect’s second goal of the postseason.
The OHL’s postseason leading scorer Nick Suzuki made it a 3-0 game 7:52 into the second period. The Montreal Canadiens signee spun around and roofed a backhander over Lennox’s glove for his 12th tally of this season’s playoffs.
With the goal, the former Vegas Golden Knights 13th overall pick extended his postseason-best point streak to 11 games. Suzuki notched four points for the Storm in the 4-0 road victory in Game Five.
Guelph extended the lead to four goals just 28 seconds into the third period on the man-power advantage by Los Angeles Kings prospect Sean Durzi. The Storm defenseman collected a loose puck in the Spirit slot and chipped a shot over Lennox for the power play tally.
Durzi tied Guelph teammate Suzuki for the postseason-high 11-game point streak with the goal.
The Storm made it a five-goal game just 1:18 later with Gogolev’s second goal of the game. Hawel slid a pass to the left-winger and Gogolev took a wrist shot from the left face-off dot that beat the Saginaw goaltender.
Saginaw net-minder Lennox continued to make saves in the third period despite the score. The young goaltender stoned forward Keegan Stevenson with a toe save and denies Arizona Coyotes draft pick Nate Schnarr just seconds later with a chest save.
The Spirit found twine late in regulation on a redirection by forward Jake Goldowski. Defenseman Hayden Davis took a shot from the point that Goldowski tipped up into the top-shelf for his third goal of the postseason.
It was Saginaw’s first goal since Cole Perfetti’s third period tally in Game Four’s victory. Guelph net-minder Popovich played over 119 minutes of scoreless hockey in between the two Spirit markers.
Applebee’s Three Stars of the Game:

Nick Suzuki (GUE) G, +1

Pavel Gogolev (GUE) 2G, +3

Isaac Ratcliffe (GUE) 2A, +1

The Western Conference Championship Series heads back to Saginaw for Game Seven Monday, April 29. The Spirit will look to make team-history on home ice and capture the Wayne Gretzky Trophy for the first time in team history. Puck drop from The Dow Event Center is at 7:05 p.m.
Fans can follow all the action on the flagship WSGW Newsradio 100.5 FM Talk and Sports and fmtalk1005.com with Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers on the call. “Countdown to Face-off” with host Domenic Papa begins 15 minutes prior to puck drop for all your pregame coverage.
Tickets for Game Seven are available on saginawspirit.com, ticketmaster.com, at the Saginaw Spirit Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw, and at The Dow Event Center Box Office.]]>Game 6 Preview: Spirit try to rebound after Game five shutouthttp://saginawspirit.com/article/game-6-preview-spirit-try-rebound-game-five-shutout
Sun, 28 Apr 2019 14:43:16 +0000http://saginawspirit.com/article/game-6-preview-spirit-try-rebound-game-five-shutoutGuelph, ON – The Saginaw Spirit will get their second chance at advancing to the OHL Championship Series Sunday, April 28 in Game six of the Western Conference Final. The Spirit lead the series, 3-2. Puck drop from the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, Ontario is at 2:00 p.m.
The Storm extended the best-of-seven after a 4-0 victory in Saginaw for Game Five. Guelph is undefeated in elimination games this postseason after defeating the London Knights in four-straight games in the second round.
Watch Game six live on OHLLive.com or listen live on the flagship WSGW Newsradio 100.5 FM and fmtalk1005.com with the voice of the Saginaw Spirit Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers on the call. “Countdown to Faceoff” starts 15 minutes prior to puck drop in Game Five.
Fans can also watch the game live from the Saginaw Spirit “Watch Party” from the 2690 Tittabawassee Road Buffalo Wild Wings location.
Rookie goaltender Tristan Lennox has started the past three games for the Spirit after a five-game suspension was handed to Arizona Coyotes draft pick Ivan Prosvetov. Lennox was busy in Game Five Friday after the Storm outshot the Spirit, 43-20, but earned third star honors with 39 saves.
The 16-year old net-minder boasts 2.86 goals against average with a save percentage of .925 in five career postseason appearances.
2018 Florida Panthers 10th overall pick Owen Tippett is second in the Ontario Hockey League with 22 points this postseason. The Mississauga, Ontario native’s 11 postseason goals this season is tied for first in the OHL.
Overager Reagan O’Grady leads the OHL playoffs this season with a plus/minus rating of plus-18. The Lindsay, Ontario native was a negative plus/minus rating in Game Five for the first time since Game One of the first round.
Saginaw Spirit first round pick Cole Perfetti was held scoreless in Game Five for the first time in the Western Conference Championship series. The rookie forward had eight points for the Spirit in the first four games against the Storm.
The Western Conference Finals features two of the top-three goal scoring defensemen in this year’s playoffs.
New York Islanders second round selection Bode Wilde is third in the OHL this postseason with seven goals for Saginaw. The Plymouth, Michigan native pushed Game Two into overtime with a late third period power play goal. Since the defenseman’s heroics in Game Two, Wilde has not registered a point.
Edmonton Oilers signee Dmitri Samorukov moved up to second among OHL defensemen with eight postseason goals this year. The Russian defenseman took over Game Five with a hat trick and four points.
Both Nick Suzuki and Sean Durzi extended their postseason-high 10-game point streaks on Friday night.
Suzuki, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, assisted on all four Guelph goals in Game Five. The London, Ontario native collected seven goals and 15 assists during the 10-game hot-streak. Suzuki leads the OHL playoffs this season in both assists (18) and points (29).
Durzi, a trade deadline addition for the Storm this season, is second among Storm players with 16 assists in this year’s playoffs. The Los Angeles Kings prospect has an assist in every game of the Western Conference Finals.
Guelph captain Isaac Ratcliffe contributed six points in the five games this series. The 2017 Philadelphia Flyers 35th overall pick tallied the insurance goal in Game Five against the Spirit.
Guelph has 11 players with rights owned by NHL teams, forwards Cam Hillis (Montreal Canadiens), Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens-signed), MacKenzie Entwistle (Chicago Blackhawks-signed), Alexey Toropchenko (St. Louis Blues-signed), Liam Hawel (Dallas Stars), Nate Schnarr (Arizona Coyotes-signed), Isaac Ratcliffe (Philadelphia Flyers-signed), defensemen Dmitri Samorukov (Edmonton Oilers-signed), Sean Durzi (Los Angeles Kings), Markus Phillips (Los Angeles Kings), and Fedor Gordeev (Toronto Maple Leafs.)
The Spirit also boasts eight players drafted by NHL clubs, forwards Brady Gilmour (Detroit Red Wings), Blade Jenkins (New York Islanders), Owen Tippett (Florida Panthers-signed), Ryan McLeod (Edmonton Oilers), Damien Giroux (Minnesota Wild), defensemen Reilly Webb (Detroit Red Wings), Bode Wilde (New York Islanders-signed), and goaltender Ivan Prosvetov (Arizona Coyotes).]]>